Chronology 1774 - Today

1774 Alexander Johnston is born in Aberdeenshire on Hogmanay (31st December)

1797 Johnstons is founded by Alexander in Newmill, Elgin

1797-1801 Linen, Flax, Tobacco and Oatmeal are the main line of trade at Johnstons

1798 Alexander takes his first annual salary of £100 (Today's equivalent of £2,300)

1799-1812 Alexander appoints a number of business partners, all of which are shortlived

1801 Linen business is phased out and Wool is phased in

1810 Johnstons is firmly established as a leader in the Wool Industry

1838 Alexander welcomes his son James to the firm

1846 James (pictured below) takes over the running of the business as his father
retires

1851 Johnstons pioneers the weaving of Vicuna and Cashmere in Scotland

1851 The firm exhibits at the National Exhibition on London

1853 James employs local tailors to assist him in creating 'Stout Shooting Suits'

1855 Johnstons exhibits at the Paris Exhibition and wins a Diploma at the
same show in 1867

1868 Charles joins his father James as a partner

1860's Exporting begins to the Italian, French,German, Belgian, South American and
Japanese markets then later into the USA market which became the main
market for Johnstons for many years

1850-1900 Normal working hours are 6am-6pm in the summer months and 7am-7pm
in the Winter months

1882 Turnover is recorded at £34,920 (Today's equivalent of £1,365,721)

1891 Ernest Johnston joins the firm, son of Charles, working in the London sales
office

1892 Turnover falls to £14,720 (Today's equivalent of £665,638)

1900 Turnover reaches £25,960 (Today's equivalent of £1,211,812)

1904 Edward Harrison joins Johnstons as assistant to Ernest Johnston in London.
Edward comes from a well-known family of woollen merchants in Edinburgh
and concentrates on the production side of the company

1904 Andrew Boyd joins Johnstons as assistant to Ernest in sales

1908 Edward Harrison marries Jean and celebrates with a large wedding picnic at
Gordon Castle

1920 Ernest Johnston is killed in the War. His father Charles sells his interests in
the firm to Edward Harrison and Andrew Boyd who becomes the junior partner

1920 Turnover reaches £134,430 (Today's equivalent of £2,161,634)

1933 Ramsay Macdonald, Prime Minister, visits our Mill in Elgin (pictured below
with Edward Harrison)

1936 Ned Harrison, son of Edward, joins the firm to start a 5 year apprenticeship.

1955 Ned's cousin John Harrison joins Johnstons from Cambridge University

1957 A mysterious fire (pictured below) sweeps through the mill, fortunately there
was very little material held in the buildings which were burnt

1964 Turnover reaches £493,020 (Today's equivalent of £5,058,385)

1966 Edward finally retires at the age of 88, Ned succeeds his father as Managing
Director

1978 Johnstons are awarded the Queen's Award for Export

1978 Ned retires, John becomes Chairman and Edward Harrison dies at the age
of 100

1979 Turnover reaches £3,374,580 (Today's equivalent of £8,605,179)

1982 Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister, visits our Mill in Elgin.

1986 James Sugden joins Johnstons as Sales Director and one year later becomes
Managing Director. He continues to lead Johnstons until 2009 when he is suceeded by James Dracup

1994 Johnstons are once again awarded the Queen's Award for Export

1994 Turnover reaches £27,000,000

1997 Johnstons celebrate the Bi-Centenary, 1797-1997

1997 Four feet of water sweep through the Mill in Elgin with the 1997 Flood (pictured
below). Nothing escaped devastation, with damage running to more than
£20 million. A vast clean up operation swung into action, with staff
rallying round and responding magnificently to the crisis

2002 Turnover reaches £39,800,000

2003 A Fashion Show is held in aid of the Moray Carers Project in the presence of
The Princess Royal who was officially launching the new centre

2006 Johnstons open a shop in the historic town of St Andrews

2007 Johnstons celebrate 210 years in business and renovate former steadings into a new Heritage Centre
and Courtyard Home & Gift Shop at the main site in Elgin.

2008 Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay officially open the new Heritage Centre & Shop